Watch the full episode How to Build Character with Angela Duckworth.

How Reliable Are Goal Hierarchies?

Angela Duckworth’s journey as a psychologist and academic has allowed her to interact with numerous young minds seeking guidance on finding their passion and pursuing it consistently. She used to believe that being gritty meant sticking to a goal hierarchy:

“You have a top-level goal — for me, it is to use psychological science to help children thrive. Then you have the ten-year goals and the five-year sub-goals. And then, your to-do list for the day. It’s a hierarchy where each of the subgoals beautifully serves a master goal.”

And this was the advice she offered to her students initially. But, Angela’s own experience and conversations with colleagues like Daniel Kahneman have led her to an epiphany — the world is far too dynamic and unpredictable for such long-term planning. If we cannot accurately predict where we’ll be in ten years, or even five, how can we rely on ‘rigid’ micro plans? 

The concept of a goal hierarchy might seem appealing and is often upheld as a counter to stressing about the future. However, such an approach doesn’t account for the myriad uncertainties that life throws at us. External factors like technological advancements, global politics, or personal circumstances can dramatically alter our paths.

So, what can you do instead to ensure progress while keeping your plans flexible?

Focus on Your Purpose

Angela suggests focusing on our core values, purpose, and interests, allowing them to guide us like stars. By identifying our guiding principles, we make space for situational adaptability, allowing us to recalibrate our course as life unfolds. It’s like using a GPS — we can set our general direction, but the exact route will change based on the road conditions. Our founder Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa’s Columbia Business School colleague Paul Ingram recommends that you create a laminated card for your values to keep revisiting when you need a reminder of what matters most to you. He describes this tool and how to use it here.

Angela suggests focusing on our core values, purpose, and interests, allowing them to guide us like stars.

Angela’s and Paul’s insights apply to both individual and organizational journeys. Purpose-driven companies have proven to be more open to pivots. Let’s take the example of Warby Parker, an online eyewear retailer that revolutionized the way people buy glasses. Their mission is to deliver accessible and affordable eyewear to all.

When the company was founded in 2010, it initially had a detailed plan to open a brick-and-mortar store in New York City. While the plan seemed promising at the time, it was based on assumptions about consumer behavior that rapidly changed.

As Warby Parker began to explore the market, they noticed a significant shift in consumer preferences toward online shopping. The company launched a user-friendly website that allowed customers to virtually try on glasses, making the purchasing process convenient and enjoyable. They also introduced the ‘home try-on’ program, where customers could try up to five pairs of glasses at home for free before making a purchase decision.

The shift was not without its challenges. Like any significant change in strategy, it required reevaluating resources, reallocating budgets, and fostering a new mindset among the team. But Warby Parker’s adaptability paid off, leading them to immense success in the online realm and expanding their reach.

Don’t Be Afraid to Take a Step

But, what if you’re finding it difficult to define where you should head right now? Are there multiple paths that you may be contemplating at the same time? Are you strong in your resolve to work hard but unsure where to direct your energy? You’re not alone.

When Angela evaluated her students and research subjects on passion and perseverance for long-term goals, she found that perseverance often outshines passion. Many people have the tenacity but struggle with the direction they want to take. This sentiment resonates with numerous individuals, including Angela herself, who once felt lost despite her strong work ethic. 

For those paralyzed by the fear of choosing the wrong path, Angela offers a reassuring piece of advice — just take a step. Any step.

Starting somewhere, even if it’s not the perfect direction, is better than not moving at all. Each move, regardless of its outcome, provides a valuable learning experience that shapes our journey:

It could be the wrong step. It could be a very wrong step. But do it first, then figure it out and recalculate. I think that so many very smart and perfectionistic people don’t really like that messiness. But if you can at least recognize that that’s pretty much the only way there is to get anywhere, maybe it will incline you to embrace it a little more comfortably than you would otherwise.

Navigate By the Stars

In a world that often prizes precision, Angela Duckworth’s message is a refreshing reminder that life is a journey full of twists and turns, and trying to plan every step to the finest detail can, at times, be an exercise in futility. 

What truly matters is identifying our core values, seeking out our passions, and allowing them to guide us forward. Executives and managers who have taken our training programs on Activating Purpose at All Levels and Becoming a Changemaker have found that discovering their authentic purpose and values encourages them to practice adaptability in the workplace. By establishing our core values and purpose, we gain the flexibility to push forward, pull back, pause, or pivot in new directions when we encounter headwinds on the path to change. In fact, it was a pause and a pivot that made the Apple Store as iconic as it is today (for this Steve Jobs story and more, you can subscribe to our Leadership Insights newsletter here).

Whether it’s in our individual pursuits or as organizations, being purpose-driven provides the flexibility to pivot and thrive amidst changing circumstances. Embrace uncertainty, take that first step, and navigate by the stars of your core values and purpose. Remember, the journey itself holds the key to uncovering the path you are truly meant to follow.